Bill Gallo

Gallo studied art in high school and after graduation got a job as a copyboy on with the New York Daily News in 1941. He stayed there for seven months, until he went away to the war. After returning from WWII, Gallo went to Columbia University and later to the School of Visual Arts, while continuing to work for the Daily News throughout his educational pursuits. Gallo was transferred to the Sports Department after a well-rounded education as a newspaperman in 1960. It was at this point that he began drawing sports cartoons, creating many popular characters including “Basement Bertha”. Gallo was a ten-time winner of the Reuben Award from the National Cartoonist Society. He was also a twenty-time winner of the Page One Journalism Award from the New York Newspaper Guild. Additionally received the Power of Printing Award, the Segar Award (as outstanding Cartoonist in 1975), and the Achievement Award for Alumni from the School of Visual Arts. In recognition of Gallo’s boxing column, he received the James J. Walker Award from the Boxing Writers Association, the Champions Award from the Downtown Athletic Club, and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.